DANCE: OF EARTH & SKY
Locusts, bibles, artefacts and weavers. Bangarra Dance Theatre’s latest performance, Of Earth & Sky proves yet again that it is committed to engaging audiences with its innovative and culturally rich contemporary dance. Having performed in the company as a dancer for four years, Riley sees Daniel Riley McKinley make his choreographer’s debut and Frances Rings returns for her fifth Bangarra production as choreographer of Artefact. Both performances are beautiful for their lighting (Damien Cooper), costume (Gabriela Tylesova) and sound design (David Page) despite being starkly different. Riley McKinley shares Michael Riley’s photographic series cloud as inspiration, incorporating projections and minimalistic sound design with frenetic movement and painted bodies. Rings on the other hand revisits her heritage, exploring the stories that remain unexplained to her, trying to reconcile the polarities of it whilst incorporating a sensual and familial, feminine warmth in her dancers. Now in its 21st year, Bangarra Dance Theatre is still one of Australia’s most significant dance companies and is showing no sign of parochialism.
Jul 23–Aug 29, Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, Circular Quay, $49-60, 9250 7777, sydneyoperahouse.com
